Just Say Dough

April 21, 2006

The CIA used to be the government’s rogue agency. Today the title must be passed to FDA. Once again, in the face of strong evidence to the contrary, this most political of all administration science agencies has declared day to be night — this time that marijuana has no potential to relieve pain in cancer and AIDS patients.

But isn’t this the same FDA that so far is resisting misguided calls from women demanding approval of custom-made hormonal compounds? Yes, it is. Because there is no evidence that they work. At least that’s what the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has declared. And who doesn’t trust her gynecologist?

But if you go to the ACOG Web site, it will take five clicks to unearth the fact that Wyeth, the maker of FDA-approved hormone replacement pills, is among 49 drug and device makers who are “Friends of ACOG” – for a mere $3,000 a year. This is not Abramoff-class money, but it is enough to raise questions and suggest unpleasant answers.